Scan barcode
cait's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Gore, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, and War
hefftbundle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not as eventful as Sabriel, and much slower paced. Still a great read. Lireal's arch is much more satisfying than Sam's, but I'm hoping that changes now that he can up his actual role as a wall maker. Really looking forward to Abhorsen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit, War, Murder, and Genocide
hannanni41's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
icarly's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I am in love with this book and this series. This is the fastest that I’ve read a physical book in a while and I’m just so engulfed in the story!
I usually save my opinions on characters until the end, but oh my god I loved Lirael so much. Sometimes, I felt like I was just reading more to get to another part that focused on Lirael. And this isn’t to say that I disliked Sam! He was a great character too but — LIRAEL <3
I’m not sure if her being Sabriel’s half-sister was supposed to be as obvious as it was (before she looked in the Dark Mirror, of course), but I had guessed it from the very beginning when she was suicidal.
Of course, that also had to do with her appearance and the fact that I was under the impression that this book was another story with Sabriel — seriously, the resemblance of the covers is uncanny! I HOPE he didn’t want it to be a big reveal because that would be rough.
At times, Nix’s writing can be a bit confusing, but that I think comes with all fantasy. One has to just allow themselves to be immersed into the world and not ask too many questions. Eventually, even if it takes a while, the world will begin to make sense. This was something I had to remind myself while reading this book because I had felt the same way while reading Sabriel.
I was a bit disappointed to find out that there wasn’t really an ending to the story in this novel. Yes, it was confirmed that Lirael is Sabriel’s half-sister, but I was upset that some of the only action scenes came in the last section of the book (and the last chapters of that section!).
Regardless, this book was really excellent and I’m so excited to read the rest of the series!
Oh - and I love Lirael a lot, but the Disreputable Dog also has a place in my heart.
I usually save my opinions on characters until the end, but oh my god I loved Lirael so much. Sometimes, I felt like I was just reading more to get to another part that focused on Lirael. And this isn’t to say that I disliked Sam! He was a great character too but — LIRAEL <3
I’m not sure if her being Sabriel’s half-sister was supposed to be as obvious as it was (before she looked in the Dark Mirror, of course), but I had guessed it from the very beginning when she was suicidal.
Of course, that also had to do with her appearance and the fact that I was under the impression that this book was another story with Sabriel — seriously, the resemblance of the covers is uncanny! I HOPE he didn’t want it to be a big reveal because that would be rough.
At times, Nix’s writing can be a bit confusing, but that I think comes with all fantasy. One has to just allow themselves to be immersed into the world and not ask too many questions. Eventually, even if it takes a while, the world will begin to make sense. This was something I had to remind myself while reading this book because I had felt the same way while reading Sabriel.
I was a bit disappointed to find out that there wasn’t really an ending to the story in this novel. Yes, it was confirmed that Lirael is Sabriel’s half-sister, but I was upset that some of the only action scenes came in the last section of the book (and the last chapters of that section!).
Regardless, this book was really excellent and I’m so excited to read the rest of the series!
Oh - and I love Lirael a lot, but the Disreputable Dog also has a place in my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Genocide
Minor: War
More...